Meet Broward Judicial Candidate Florence Barner

Meet Broward Judicial Candidate Florence Barner

By Staff writer

      Civil trial attorney, former Broward prosecutor and a mother of two, Florence Taylor Barner has thrown her hat into the political arena by announcing her candidacy for Broward County Court Judge in Group 3.

Barner has built a reputation in Broward County as a trial attorney in both civil and criminal courtrooms, and her dedication to the practice of law and the respect with which she treats her colleagues is reflected by her rating of AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell (a rating bestowed on fewer than 7 percent of attorneys nationwide).

Florence was born and raised in South Florida and has lived here all of her life. As a law student at the University of Florida, she got “behind the scenes” insight into the daily life and responsibilities of a Judge when she worked and learned under the tutelage of both Judge Jennifer D. Bailey and Judge Ohlman.  Florence was also part of a team that aided indigent clients in the pursuit of post-conviction relief based on trial court irregularities in sentencing.

Prior to attending the University of Florida, Florence attended and graduated from Barry University in Miami Shores, FL where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude.

In addition to being a Criminal and Civil Trial Attorney, Florence has been involved in the community of South Florida, volunteering her time with Restoration of Rights Workshops, Broward Humane Society, Share-a-Pet Pet Therapy, and student mentoring mentoring. Professionally, she mentors for the Florida Bar Young Lawyer’s Law Student Division Mentoring Program, and is a member of several local organizations including T.J. Reddick Bar Association, Florida Association of Women Lawyers, and the Broward County Women Lawyers Association. Florence has also been a guest legal analyst and commentator for Perspectives, WSRF 1580 AM and a sports photographer for Eastside Boxing.

Florence’s parents taught her first-hand the motto of “helping the lesser of your brothers” when they began delivering turkeys to neighbors who couldn’t afford them at Thanksgiving.  Florence and her family continued doing this for 15 years. Florence and her husband also volunteered their time visiting a local nursing home and spending time with those who did not have families of their own.

Florence met her wonderful husband Richard “Bill” Barner in Fort Lauderdale nearly ten years ago and the two have been inseparable since. They faced personal struggle in 2013 when they learned, early into her second pregnancy, that she and her unborn baby could perish due to complications. She made the tough decision to suspend her career and remain on full bed rest for nearly 6 months. During that 6 months, family tragedy struck again when Florence suddenly and un-expectedly lost her beloved sister-in-law.

“That was terribly hard on me, my husband, my career, the rest of my family,” said Florence of a tough 2013. “But I did what I had to do, my husband did what he had to do, and I eventually returned to the courtrooms that I love so much as a healthy mother of two.

“These experiences made me stronger.  They made me who I am and more than anything else these experiences gave me the perspective needed to serve the people of Broward County.”

Florence will appear on the Aug. 30, 2016 ballot for County Court Judge, Group 3.  She can be reached at Florencebarner4judge@gmail.com.